High School Leadership Programs

Leadership Development

Love Camp? If you want to take the next step in becoming a Sherman lake YMCA counselor – this is the road.

Entering Grades: 9 – 11

Session 0 & 1: June 17 – June 29, 2018; Fee: $1,250

Session 5 & 6: July 22 – August 3, 2018; Fee: $1,250

Become a part of Sherman Lake YMCA Camp history. Our proud tradition of fostering outstanding leadership stems from our continued success and dedication in developing our own leaders. This powerful 2-week program is notably different from overnight camp. Leadership campers will experience teambuilding challenges, substantive discussion, inspiring speakers and hands-on leadership opportunities to encourage campers to be positive role models, contributing members of society and leaders in their communities.

Emphasizing Sherman Lake YMCA's core values of honesty, caring, respect and responsibility, LDP campers live together in the Leadership Village under the guidance of seasoned LDP counselors and the LDP director. The 2-week program also includes a 2-day, 1-night trip in Northern Michigan and a 3-day, 2-night caving adventure in Southern Indiana.

Counselors in Training

You've arrived - the ultimate Sherman Lake YMCA adventure and training to become a counselor!

Entering Grades: 11 – 12

Sessions 3 & 4: July 8-20, 2018; Fee: $1,350

This is the culmination of all things Sherman Lake YMCA. While surrounded by other emerging leaders, CITs will deepen connections with Sherman Lake friends, learn the art of being a role model that leads with honesty, caring, respect and responsibility, and be challenged to expand their perspective on leadership. During their 2-week program, CITs will have a "behind the scene" look at how camp operates. This will include experiential trainings on being a counselor at camp that will focus on child development, behavior management, counseling techniques and best practices. CITs will learn why Sherman Lake YMCA staffers are the best in the business as they shadow counselors who create positive, life-changing memories for their campers. Don't forget about a camp based service project, and a 3-day, 2-night white water rafting/zip line adventure trip to West Virginia!

Camp Counselor in Training: This 2-week program is designed for highly successful graduates of the LDP program. CITs must have a strong desire to work with children and be ready to positively impact those they teach.

Wrangler in Training: This 2-week program is designed for highly successful graduates of the LDP program. WITs must have experience working with children and horses.

Lifeguard in Training: This 2-week program is designed for highly successful graduates of the LDP program. LITs must have a love of water and be an excellent swimmer.

Camp Scholarships

It is our belief that no child shall be turned away due to an inability to pay. Each year, we raise funds to help parents send their kids to camp. If the camp fees are just not possible for you right now, we urge you to apply for a camp scholarship. Please feel free to call our registrar at 269.731.3000 or click here for more information.